A simple, painless skin cancer screening could just save your life.

Anyone who lives in Honolulu will tell you how much they love the warm, sunny weather. It really is glorious to get to enjoy a day surfing the waves or simply lying on the beach; however, those years spent in the sun could increase your risk for skin cancer, so it’s important that you are protecting your skin, too. One way to do that is by turning to our Honolulu, HI, dermatologists Dr. Erin Fuller, Kevin Dawson, Douglas Chun, and Sarah Grekin for routine skin cancer screenings.

How often should I get a skin cancer screening?

It’s important that everyone sees our Honolulu, HI, dermatologists at least once a year for a comprehensive skin check. These exams can help our team spot cancer early when it’s easily treatable. Those at high risk for skin cancer may want to talk to us about how often they should come in for screenings, as they may want to come in more than once a year.

What are the risk factors for skin cancer?

It’s important to recognize your risk for developing skin cancer over your lifetime. Risk factors for skin cancer include,

• History of severe sunburn
• History of using tanning beds
• Not using sunscreen
• Family history of skin cancer
• Fair skin and hair
• Freckles
• Extended periods spent out in the sun (e.g. gardening; construction worker)
• Being immunocompromised

What are the warning signs of skin cancer?

It’s important that along with visiting our Honolulu, HI, dermatologists for annual or biannual screenings that you also are examining your skin regularly. What should you be looking for when you perform self-skin cancer screenings? Look at all moles from head to toe. Check for asymmetry, irregular border, changes in color (or multiple colors), changes in size, or moles that look different in any way. Moles that itch, bleed, or are red should also be examined by our team.

Is it time you turned to our Honolulu, HI, dermatologists for a skin check? If it’s been more than a year since your last one, or you’ve never had one before, it’s time to call Dawson Dermatology at (808) 599-3780 to schedule yours. Schedule an appointment with Drs: Erin Fuller, Kevin Dawson, Douglas Chun, and Sarah Grekin today.